AN empty neighbourhood shop could be brought back into use as a takeaway under plans put forward.
The former off licence and grocery store at Offway in Coed Eva, Cwmbran has been closed for around 18 months with roller shutters pulled down over the shop front.
Rozena Bashir, who lives in the flat above the commercial premises, has submitted a planning application to Torfaen Borough Council for change of use permission to use the ground floor as a hot food takeaway.
A proposal to convert the adjoining ground floor store to a hair and beauty salon has been dropped from the revised plans which have also included changes to parking arrangements following advice from the council’s highways department.
“Modest” external alterations will be made to the building including a replacement shopfront glazing to the proposed takeaway unit and new signage while and level access ramp while kitchen extraction equipment would be fitted at the rear.
The latest plans show an area of the existing hardstanding outside the shop will be marked and dedicated for stock deliveries between 9am and 11.30am and available for delivery riders and cycle storage afterwards.
Customers collecting orders will be expected to make use of unrestricted on-street parking on East Roedin and West Roedin.
It’s proposed the takeaway will be open between midday and 10pm Monday through Saturday and from 1pm until 10pm on Sundays.
A statement submitted with the application says bringing the commercial premises back into use will benefit the area.
“The proposal represents a positive regeneration of part of a vacant commercial property, and the applicant considers the following benefits to be central to the planning case for the scheme,” says the statement,
It lists improvement to the appearance of the area and increased activity, providing a service the applicant says they aren’t aware is currently available in the area as among the benefits while a bin will also be provided outside of the shop.
The application is being considered by the council planning department and members of the public have until Monday, October 12 to comment on the proposals.